text: Telescoping cylinders, also known as telescopic cylinders can be either single or double-acting.  The telescoping cylinder incorporates a piston rod nested within a series of hollow stages of increasing diameter.  Upon actuation, the piston rod and each succeeding stage "telescopes" out as a segmented piston.  The main benefit of this design is the allowance for a notably longer stroke than would be achieved with a single-stage cylinder of the same collapsed (retracted) length.  One cited drawback to telescoping cylinders is the increased potential for piston flexion due to the segmented piston design.  Consequently, telescoping cylinders are primarily utilized in applications where the piston bears minimal side loading.